Objective To evaluate the reliability hemocompatibility,and end-organ effects of
the ChinaHeart VAD, a magnetic left ventricular assist device, by in vivo experimental
investigation.Methods Under anesthesia,via left lateral thoracotomy and ventilator assisted
breathing,every one of 6 healthy male sheep was completed as such model, in which the inflow
cannula was inserted into the left ventricular apex on beating hearts,and the outflow graft
was anastomosed to the descending aorta.Postoperative nursing and anticoagulating were
completed routinely, the hematologic and biochemical tests were performed preoperatively and
postoperatively to evaluate peripheral organ functions.ChinaHeart VAD operating parameters
were recorded continuously until termination of the experiment.At the end of the experimental
period the sheep was humanely killed,and the end-organs were examined macroscopically and
histopathologically.Results Only one of six VADs stopped running at 25th day postoperatively
because of thrombus between impeller and housing, and all of others was working until in vivo
experiment terminated. One sheep died at 3rd day because of respiratory failure, others
survived and their hematological and biochemical data showed no evidence of organ dysfunction
during the experimental period.The maximum value of free hemoglobin in plasma was 9.78mg/dL.
In this VAD which stopped running at 25th day postoperatively, we found a piece of hyperplasia
tissue suspiciously from myocardial intima blocking at entrance, thrombus between impeller and
shell, other pump’s inner, inflow and outflow conduits were free of thrombus at terminal
autopsy. Histopathological examination revealed two sheep with lobular pneumonia at left lung
where closed to device, and two sheep with kidney local necrosis, however the other end organs
without obvious pathological changes. Conclusions The ChinaHeart VAD system demonstrated
excellent reliability and hemocompatibility during more than thirty-five days supporting
continuously,and had no significant side effect on the major end-organs.
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